Information for Students

Thank you for your interest in enrolling in the Field Experience Program (FEP) under the course number S-997 which is a 4-credit course. Participating in this unique Program can be an incredibly powerful way to bridge your learning in the classroom with real world practical experience while obtaining academic course credit.

How do I enroll?

You must receive approval from the FEP Office to enroll. More specifics regarding the enrollment process are outlined in the handouts below and at our information sessions. To get started on the required FEP forms, you can login to Hired.

How do I find an internship?

You are responsible for securing your own FEP internship. To view FEP postings online, go to the Hired login page. For more detailed instructions on how to access the database, view or print the Quick Start Guide to Navigating Hired (122KB pdf). Please check this online database regularly, as we are continually adding FEP postings.

Students often create their own FEP internships. If this is part of your search strategy, you will need to identify and approach organizations of interest and let them know about your skills and project ideas.

For ideas of sites to approach, you can access the following at the FEP office:

• List of previous site contacts and FEP alumni: Information can be found in the FEP box on the Career Services page under Campus Life section of myGSE (2006-Present).
• FEP Student Profiles
• Examples of FEP Internship Sites and Final Projects
• Binders in FEP office (from pre-2006): Internship synopses (detailing work done by previous FEP interns), evaluations of specific sites from past interns, and archived internship advertisements.

Members of Career Services Office (CSO) are also available to provide you with guidance and support. During the early weeks of each semester, please be sure to attend the information and Q&A sessions offered.  CSO team members have Office Hours (15-minute slots) after the initial FEP enrollment periods.  To schedule, please visit Hired and you will see Office Hours included in your shortcuts on Hired’s homepage.   

Who can participate?

The FEP is open to all students at HGSE. Full-time students are permitted to do one FEP per semester and no more than two for the year; part-time students may also do two during their course of study, but cannot do more than one per year. If you decide to remain at the same internship site for two semesters, you must design a new project with different learning goals and follow the same required steps for enrollment. All FEPs must be taken Satisfactory/No Credit. Doctoral students who want to enroll in the FEP must have the approval of their Academic Advisor and should make an appointment to meet with the FEP Director, Eileen McGowan.

Important Forms and Handouts

Considering the FEP (112KB pdf)- For those students who are still unsure whether they should enroll in this course and how it differs from a non-credit internship experience.

Identifying FEP sites (123KB pdf)- Students will get an overview of the resources available to find potential field sites.

Approaching FEP sites (117KB pdf)- Tips on how to present qualification to employers

Negotiating your Internship (100KB pdf)- Discussion points and list of sample internships/final projects to reference as students/supervisors finalize details of internship.

Making the Most of Internship Expo (167KB pdf)

Enrollment Steps (130KB pdf)- Provides an overview of the steps required for enrollment in S-997.

Optimizing your FEP (109KB pdf)- Provides students with tips on how to make FEPs meaningful and how to work most effectively at your site.

Helpful Tips for Field Supervisors (123KB pdf)- Students also benefit from reading this memo, because it clarifies what they should expect from their FEP Field Supervisor.

Gap Analysis (88KB doc) – Assists students in identifying personal long-term career goals and the ways in which specific FEP opportunities may fill in professional experience gaps. The Gap Analysis should be completed prior to site selection.

Work-Study Information for Interns (189KB pdf)